Monitoring framework agreed to assess progress on NCDs

12-11-2012

After three days of discussion last week, WHO Member States agreed on a global monitoring framework to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and chronic lung conditions. The framework focuses efforts to address and assess:

the progress made in reducing associated illness and death;

the reduction of exposures to the main risk factors for NCDs, including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity; and

Strong international political support

WHO’s development of the framework was agreed at the United Nations high-level meeting on NCD prevention and control in September 2011, and is a step towards the development of a global action plan for 2013–2020.

The meeting in Geneva, Switzerland was chaired by Dr Bjørn-Inge Larsen of Norway, and attended by representatives of 119 WHO Member States, the African Union, the European Union and 17 nongovernmental organizations.